TOGO / HAAC launches system for blocking websites without legal exploitation rights
The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) in Togo has implemented a system for blocking illegal or pirate websites on Wednesday, January 9, 2024. The operationalization of the system is said to be dynamic and automatic. It is intended to protect rights holders from financial losses due to unauthorized activities.
HAAC is now equipped with a tool to block websites that «illegally» broadcast audiovisual programs.
According to the regulatory authority, the initiative aims to protect rights holders or their successors from malicious programs on websites and applications that broadcast without authorization.
In reality, this system targets websites that work to illegally reproduce and commercialize online television programs or audiovisual works.
HAAC, as the control and regulation authority for audiovisual broadcasts in the country, expresses concern about programs that may harm economic, moral, mental, social development and pose a serious threat to security.
However, the «illicit» nature of these sites lies not only in the reproduction and distribution of online TV programs but also in their status as «pirate» sites due to the lack of legal procedures with HAAC and the absence of monitoring by the regulatory authority.
Beyond this, with the blocking system, HAAC also aims to protect the interests of legal public and financial companies.
The President of the Regulatory Authority of the Togolese media landscape, Pitalounani Télou, clearly stated that audiovisual program distribution companies must comply with existing regulations that require obtaining prior authorization to conduct their activities.
Unfortunately, he notes, there are illegal exploitations that involve the unauthorized reproduction and sale of television programs or the massive uploading, downloading, or broadcasting on the internet of protected works without the permission of rights holders.
Therefore, HAAC is waging a battle against insecurity, offenses to morality and ethics, and damage to the state and companies.
Instead of a system to block «illicit» sites, wouldn’t it be better for HAAC to establish a system to promote online audiovisual sites to encourage legal procedures for better monitoring and content management?
Some Togolese believe that this approach would be better than promoting censorship and the “illegal” nature of these sites.
How it works:
Through the technical setup, legal companies in the editing or broadcasting of audiovisual programs (films, sports competitions, cultural events, or musical works) can request the blocking of websites and applications that broadcast audiovisual content without authorization throughout the country.
Requests are managed in agreement between HAAC and rights holders, through the Nagra operator, which is the company holding the necessary technology and equipment.
The implementation of this process is conditioned by the complaint of the rights holder who alleges a violation of their rights because certain structures/sites are reproducing programs without authorization.
The complaint to HAAC is based on monitoring services, followed by the initiation of the process from the Nagra operator, which, through a robot, searches and identifies pirate sites broadcasting inappropriate content.
HAAC, informed of the detection of fraudulent broadcasting by the operator and after verification, orders the blocking.
When the decision to block is finalized, a detailed report on the site blocking operations is prepared by the Nagra operator and sent to HAAC and the Regulatory Authority of Electronic Communications (ARCEP) for any claims.
Kodjovi Makafui
